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West Chester University New Planetarium

October 16th, 2013

WEST CHESTER, PA — Students enrolled in the Department of Geology and Astronomy are now actually able to visualize what takes place below the Earth’s surface during events such as an earthquake or volcano, and what may have occurred billions of years ago in space.

This past summer, the University replaced its 44-year-old system of gears and mirrors with a 32-foot nanoseam dome and powerful digital planetarium projector, designed specifically for “full dome” education. Built by Spitz, the world leader in projection domes, and powered by “Starry Night” and “The Layered Earth,” the SciDome XD Touch system provides real time simulation for space and earth science teaching. Students can explore the layers of Earth in 3D detail, or immerse themselves in an interactive visual universe.

“In place of sky views seen only from the Earth, the new system allows students to look beyond the solar system and study star formations or clusters of galaxies and galactic mergers beyond our own Milky Way from any prospective,” says Karen Vandlandingham, associate professor and director of the planetarium.

“Students have the capability of standing on Mars, for example, and of having a view as if they’re next to the rover that was left there.”

“Geology students are taking advantage of this equipment as well,” says Vanlandingham. “The ‘Layered Earth’ program can project huge areas of the Earth onto the dome. Any data base of earthquakes, for example, can be projected – even the center of a quake. Students can also observe what’s happening under the Earth’s surface as a volcano develops.”

Located in the Schmucker Science Center link, the new facility is named after alumna and retired faculty member Dr. Sandra F. Pritchard Mather. In addition to enhancing the educational experience of WCU students, the new planetarium is expected to continue being an exceptional resource for the surrounding community. Each year, thousands of children, local community groups and individuals attend its weekly private presentations and hour-long monthly evening shows – all which begin again on October 18.

Love Park

October 15th, 2013
Map of Love Park, Philadelphia, PA

Map of Love Park, Philadelphia, PA

Love Park is the name locals have given to John F. Kennedy Plaza in center city Philadelphia. The famous Love sculpture was made by Robert Indiana. It “was first placed in the plaza in 1976 as part of the United States’ Bicentennial celebration. It was removed in 1978, but the sculpture was missed and the chairman of Philadelphia Art Commission, F. Eugene Dixon, Jr., bought the sculpture and permanently placed it in the plaza, in 1978.”

The park is open to the public and free to visit.

Philadelphia Air Quality and Weather

October 11th, 2013

Although Philadelphia is located less than 100 miles from the Atlantic Ocean, its climate is predominantly influenced by air masses and prevailing winds from an inland direction. The weather is highly variable, characterized by a succession of alternate high and low pressure systems moving, in general, from west to east with average velocities of 30 to 35 miles per hour (mph) in winter and 20 to 25 mph in summer.

The normal paths of practically all low pressure systems affecting weather in the United States are toward the northeast corner of the nation. About 40 percent of the low centers pass very close to Philadelphia and most of the others approach closely enough to exert some influence on Philadelphia weather, resulting in a regular change in weather patterns without any consistent periods of stagnation. The movement of high pressure centers is slowest in summer and early fall and, because the lower edge of the prevailing westerlies aloft is farthest north at the same time, high pressure centers sometimes become stationary for periods of several days near the Philadelphia area. The result is increasing atmospheric stability at such times. This condition is frequently broken up diurnally in the summer because of the length and intensity of the sun’s heating during the day, but strongly stable conditions may persist for a number of successive days in almost any month. Persistent stability, lasting ten days or more, occurs infrequently: on the average, perhaps once in ten years, but it may possibly happen in successive years or more than once in the same year.

Stagnating high pressure systems which result in winds of less than seven mph for a period of seven or more days occurs seldomly. Stagnation lasting four or more days occurred much more frequently and reached a maximum in fall.

During the spring, fall and winter, the weather is dominated by cold air masses of the continental Arctic or continental polar types. These air masses are extremely stable at their source, but are subjected to heating from below as they move across the land, thus generally becoming unstable in the lower few thousand feet by the time they reach Philadelphia. In the summer, the maritime tropical air mass plays as great a part in the weather as the continental air masses. Nocturnal cooling from below produces a high frequency of temperature inversions during the summer, but these are most often broken up or weakened by heating during the day, with ensuing turbulence and mixing at the atmosphere.

Philadelphia is located on the Atlantic Coastal Plain, some 50 miles or more from the nearest mountains (Appalachian) and large bodies of water (Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay). The land and sea breeze effect is practically never felt at Philadelphia and the mountain-valley circulation is non-existent.

Within the City itself there are very few marked extremes in topography. Elevations range from sea level at the southern and southwestern extremities of the City to 400 to 450 feet above sea level in the northwestern section (Chestnut Hill), about ten miles away. The Wissahickon Creek and the Schuylkill River flow through the north western part of the City, however, and along these two streams there are some rather sharp rises in elevation, as much as 100 to 200 feet in a horizontal distance of 500 feet. Such extremes are quite limited and would not influence the meteorological patterns which affect the City as a whole. They could, of course, contribute to 2013 – 2014 AMNP increased air pollution problems in a small local area within the City under certain circumstances.

In general, the topography of the City and the immediate surrounding area is such that it would make no significant contribution to increased air stagnation and stability over and above that produced by the meteorological pattern.

World Food Day March Against Monsanto

October 9th, 2013

PHILADELPHIA, PA — Thousands of people are anticipated to take part in the World Food Day March Against Monsanto on Saturday, October 12 at 2:00PM at Independence Mall, Philadelphia, PA.

Organizers said:
Everyone Should Be Spreading The Word!

As, the World Food Day March Against Monsanto fast approaches we need everyone to help out in any way possible. First and foremost, everyone should be spreading the word to friends, family and co-workers to stand up for Food Freedom, protect our pollinators and secure our planet.

Join us this Saturday October 5th in Bardacino Park for a pre-march, sign making, potluck style event . We will also be silk screening shirt for the march with the Occupy Monsanto Logo O12, so please bring your own clothing for screening. We would encourage everyone to bring something to share with others like non GMO snacks or art supplies. Bring musical instruments and spend the day. We will have stickers and shirts available as well. Clink the link and r.s.v.p https://www.facebook.com/events/338522656294533/

We are proud to announce Senator Daylin Leach will be speaking again at the rally on Oct 12th about Pennsylvania’s “Right To Know” legislation SB 653. He has also expressed interest in joining us for the march as well !! This is Absolutely AMAZING NEWS !! Our Senator will be marching with us. Spread the word. We are also proud to announce author Jon McGoran will be joining us, as well as, COVVHA Founder Kelly Derricks.

We are

Pennsylvania State Police and Downingtown Police Department Collusion

October 6th, 2013

DOWNINGTOWN, PA — On October 5 at approximately 5 PM, the Pennsylvania State Police colluded with the Downingtown Police Department to commit crimes against a citizen. The incident started when the Pennsylvania State Police made an illegal stop of a vehicle headed westbound on Route 322 prior to Boot Road. The victim was forced to take field sobriety tests though he clearly was not under the influence.

After the victim successfully passed the tests, the State Police officer called in a unit from the Downingtown Police Department. For no apparent reason, the officer from Downingtown insisted on administering a breathalyzer test. The officer had trouble getting the unit to function properly; nevertheless, it was administered. Multiple attempts were made to obtain a reading. Then, the State Police officer said, “it registered way over the limit”. At that time, the officer assaulted and restrained the victim against his will.

Two more State Police officers arrived on the scene. The victim was administered yet another breathalyzer test from a different unit. It was determined that the victim was not driving under the influence, and he was released without being given a citation.

Anyone with information on Pennsylvania State Police or Downingtown Police Department corruption is asked to contact investigators:

 

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National Museum of American Jewish History

October 2nd, 2013

The National Museum of American Jewish History is located at 101 South Independence Mall E Philadelphia, PA 19106 (the corner of 5th and Market Streets.)

The National Museum of American Jewish History opened Now Showing: “Pop ”Lubin’s Film Empire, on Sunday, September 22. Now Showing will tell the story of Jewish filmmaker Siegmund Lubin (ca.1841-1923) and his production company, Lubin Manufacturing Company, which was based in Philadelphia with studios across the country. It includes artifacts ranging from publicity stills and behind – the – scenes photos to posters and films and will run through February 7, 2014.

Phone: (215) 923-3811

Admission
Members Free
Adults $12
Seniors (ages 65 & up) $11
Youth (ages 13-21) $11
Children (ages 12& under) Free
Active Military (with ID) Free*

Federal Government Shutdown Open House in Philly

October 2nd, 2013
Federal Government Shutdown of National Parks

Federal Government Shutdown of National Parks

As absurd as it may seem, the Federal Government shutdown even closed the open house at Independence Mall National Park.

Occupy Philly Events

September 30th, 2013

Mon Sep 30
6:00pm Act-UP Weekly Meeting – St Luke’s Church Basement – 330 S. 13th St Between Pine and Spruce

Tue Oct 1
7:30pm Books Through Bars Packing Cafe – The A-Space 4722 Baltimore Ave

Wed Oct 2
6:00pm Money Out of Politics working group/ Philly Rootstrikers – Friends Center

Fri Oct 4
12:00pm Bubbas and Zaydas for Peace in the Middle East – 19th & JFK

Sat Oct 5
11:00am Books Through Bars Packing Cafe – The A-Space 4722 Baltimore Avenue

Sun Oct 6
2:00pm PHARE/Wells Fargo working group – 1706 Race St.

5:00pm Long Term Organizing MDU working group – Ethical Humanist Society, Rittenhouse Square

On Monday the corporate school reform crowd are holding a closed door assembly of rich people and their foundations to further their aim of unfettered charter school growth, privatization and union busting. Meanwhile our public schools are being systematically starved of resources.

The connections between the condition of our public schools and the growth of corporate influence in public education are becoming clearer to more and more people. And their fighting back. On Monday four things are happening.

Fight For Philly Action at 12:30pm at Grover Cleveland Mastery Charter (19th and Erie Ave) The conference participants will be touring this school at this time and an “unwelcome” is planned. For more information visit the Facebook event page: http://www.facebook.com/events/1383118675256438/

Support Khepera Charter School Teachers in Their Fight for a Fair Contract

Assemble at 3:30, Bargaining Session at 4:00
Khepera Middle School Campus (144 Carpenter Lane) School staff at Khepera Charter, one of the few unionized charters in the city, have been working for a year without a contract in the face of the administration demanding give backs that will hurt students and teachers alike. The staff, along with some parents, are picketing and during the negotiation session. They have called for community supporters to join them.

Youth Action: Bring The Noise Students are planning to send the corporate reformers a message by staging a loud protest from 4:30 to 6pm at the Union League, targeting the budget cuts, tax breaks for corporations and expanded prison construction. For more details visit their event page at: http://www.facebook.com/events/185020475017297/

Alliance For Philadelphia Public Schools is holding a rally and picket at 5pm., also at the Union League, to “speak out against corporate control of our public schools and to fight for fully funded public schools!”

PCAPS supports all of these initiatives and urges people to come out in the spirit of building broad, grass roots, resistance to the corporate agenda of austerity and privatization. This agenda is being advanced in the guise of charitable giving and philanthropy. Our schools need full and fair funding, not charity by self interested parties. If hedge funds and corporations want to help public education we suggest they pay their taxes like the rest of us.

Monday, September 30, 7:00pm, Community Meeting to address neo-Nazi Rally, A-Space Anarchist Community Center, 4722 Baltimore Avenue

To discuss and plan how to oppose the annual white supremacist event “Leif Ericson Day Celebration”, a community meeting will be held Monday, and the public is invited to participate.

From Philadelphia Residents Against Racism (http://leifericsondayprotest.wordpress.org/)

Community Alert: Neo-Nazis plan to rally and march in Fairmount Park.

Where: Thorfin Karlson Statue, Fairmount Park, Philadelphia

When: October 19th, 2013 @ 10:30 AM

What: Stand up to racist hate and bigotry of all kinds.

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that Matter” – MLK Jr.

For the past 7 years, the city of Philadelphia has played host to a gathering of Neo-Nazis right under the noses of it’s residents.

This gathering, known as “The Leif Ericson Day Celebration” is organized, promoted, and attended exclusively by members of Neo-Nazi organizations. In past years the gathering has drawn upwards of 50 hardcore racists and fascists to Philly and served as an recruiting and organizing tool for the main organization involved, the Keystone State Skinheads (KSS).

In addition to KSS, past Leif Ericson day celebrations have been attended by members of the Council of Conservative Citizens (CCC), The American 3rd Position Party/American Freedom Party (A3P/AFP), Volksfront (VF) , The Vinlanders Social Club (VSC) and the Hated Skins. All of those groups are considered hate groups by several independent organizations including the Southern Poverty Law Center, The Anti-Defamation League and the FBI. Furthermore, individuals who have attended past Leif Ericson day celebrations have been tied to racist terror organizations such as Blood and Honour and the KKK.

KSS has announced their event for October 19th in Fairmount Park. If past years are any indication, they will do a very short march in formation down lemon hill at Noon and attempt to lay a wreath and make speeches at the statue at the statue of Thorfin Karlson along Kelly drive.

We plan to mobilize a huge continent of Anti-Racists, progressives, and all good people of Philly to the Thorfin Karlson statue. THIS WILL BE A PEACEFUL PROTEST. Please bring any signs, banners, noise makers or drums in order for our contingent to block/drown out the hate-speech of the Nazis.

We intend to stand together in defiance of racism and all forms of bigotry. Won’t you join us?

In solidarity, Philadelphia Residents Against Racism PhillyRAR@gmail.com

Wednesday, October 2, 7:00pm, New MOSAIC Open Mic, Oct 2013, A-Space Anarchist Community Center 4722 Baltimore Ave, W. Philly

Featuring Elijah Pryor, hosted by KhansciouStorm, Wed. Oct 2nd, doors open at 7pm, Free- donations appreciated.

Bring your spoken word pieces, poems, songs, instruments, essays, short stories, rants, flyers, political announcements and updates on your organization to the New Mosaic Open Mic. Acoustic only

Children welcome but content of performances may be mature, this is a drug & alcohol free event, free refreshments

MOSAIC is Movement of the Oppressed Sectors Acting in Concert, based on the work of West Philadelphia Political POW Russell Maroon Shoatz. Learn more about Maroon at http://russellmaroonshoats.wordpress.com/

Thursday, October 3, 11:30am – 2:00pm, Drexel Medicine Fall Health Fair, The Shops at Liberty Place Rotunda, 16th and Chestnut Streets, Philadelphia.

It’s the annual Drexel Medicine Fall Health Fair. Come for free health screenings* and talk with Drexel Medicine doctors and staff to learn more about arthritis, asthma, cancer awareness, heart health, dermatology, diabetes, eye care, sleep medicine, women’s health and much more. *The free health screenings available are: Blood pressure, Vision, Skin cancer screening.

Sunday, October 5, 12pm, Rally for Immigrant Dignity, Respect, and Family Unity , LOVE park, Philadelphia.

60+ cities throughout the country are holding actions in support of just and humane immigration reform on Saturday, October 5th. The Pennsylvania rally will be 12-2pm, starting at LOVE Park in Philly (1599 John F. Kennedy Blvd). After that we’ll march – while banging pots and pans – over to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement office at 16th & Callowhill to demand an end to all deportations.
Hundreds of people from all over Philly and Eastern PA will be coming in for the rally. Come march with us! Want more information? Contact: Nicole@sanctuaryphiladephia.org or JorgeSalazar@paimmigrant.org. Call 215-279-7060.

Saturday, October 5, 12:00pm, Silent Death Walk, 12th & Market Sts.

Friends – As unending war continues, the United States’ DRONE BOMBINGS IN PAKISTAN, AFGHANISTAN,YEMEN, and SOMALIA are still killing unarmed and innocent civilians. We walk with banners showing a drone bomber and hand out leaflets to inform people on the street that this is being done in our names. We oppose the wars and all bombings and have walked monthly for almost 4 years.

We will do the DEATH WALK on SATURDAY, October 5, 2013 from 12:00 pm. – 1:00, meeting at 12th & Market. Please wear BLACK, we will bring plain white masks and will be sure to have some extra masks. Several people will hold signs and banners, two others will pass out leaflets. We will continue to carry signs opposing U.S. DRONE WARFARE and TERRORISM, which is the killing of civilians.

While walking in the manner of a SILENT DEATH WALK we bring attention to the wars and the victims in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, and other countries where drones are used.  This is street theater, thus we keep to the form of single file, silence, masks and black clothing. Our leaflet is intended to educate the public on U.S. drone warfare.

Peace, with hope that you will join us.

Sunday, October 6, 11:00am-5:00pm, FIGMENT Phila 2013, Clark Park, 45th and Regents Sts.

FIGMENT is an explosion of creative energy. It’s a free, annual celebration of participatory art and culture where everything is possible. This inaugural year in Philadelphia, it will transform Clark Park into a large-scale collaborative artwork.

Over 40 projects by dozens of artists and teams will be placed throughout the park for you to explore. At FIGMENT Phila, you aren’t just a spectator: you help bring this event to life. Everything is interactive, and you CAN touch the art!

Come see. Come participate. Come play.

For more details about the event, what to expect, and what to bring: http://phila.figmentproject.org/about-figment-phila/event_details/

FIGMENT Phila will happen rain or shine!

Saturday, October 12, 2:00pm, March Against Monsanto Philadelphia, Independence Mall

Be The Change You Want To See !! Volunteer Now !!

We need your help! Do not be shy! We will guide you and teach you how to be effective and help our mission!

Be a part of history! Help organize the LARGEST global march ever conceived in human history against corporate greed and the genetic bio-hazard we loath, Monsanto Company.

Drop us a line email : mamphilly@gmail.com SOLIDARITY !! March Against Monsanto Philadelphia. Call (267) 586-9545, http://mamphl.org/, #MAMPHL

We will not stand for cronyism. We will not stand for poison. That’s why we March Against Monsanto.

Saturday, October 12, 2013, 3:00pm, PHILLY TRANS* MARCH 2013, LOVE Park, Philadelphia.

Philly Trans* March is not only a rally and demonstration, but rather a revolutionary movement. Open to people of all gender identities, expressions, and experiences, Philly Trans* March welcomes everyone to join in this MARCH TOWARDS EQUALITY and protest against the hate, social injustice, and inequality faced by trans*, gender variant, gender queer and gender non-conforming communities.

PTM is also a CELEBRATION of the triumphs we have experienced in our city and the unique resources Philadelphia offers to our community. With an aim to increase Trans*, GV, GQ and GNC visibility and to gain equality, Philly Trans* March is an affirmation of our beauty, strength, and diversity. Organized by members of Philly’s trans*, gender variant, gender queer and gender non-conforming communities and our allies, this endeavor is committed to creating a safer, more inclusive environment for everyone.

This October Philly Trans* March will host it’s first PTM Advocacy Awards, giving much deserved recognition to those who have stood on the front lines in support of Philly’s Trans* community and the fight towards equality.

After we march, and return to LOVE Park some of our most creative local Trans* talent will rock the stage and help bring the event to a celebratory wrap-up!

Come One, Come All as EVERYONE is welcome to attend this monumental event! Bring your friends, your signs, drums and beautiful selves and rally in solidarity at PHILLY TRANS* MARCH 2013! LET YOUR VOICES BE HEARD!

**this is an all ages event ***a van will be on site to transport those with disAbilities who wish to march but are unable to.

The U.S. Court of Women on Poverty, Eastern Region will take place in Philadelphia, October 18-20, 2013. Activists from around the eastern U.S. and beyond will gather to tell the stories those in power wish to keep untold. Throughout history, women have been victimized by the brutality of men and by the denial of access to land, wages, and resources. The World Courts of Women help expose the treatment of women as violence, as brutality, as violations of basic human rights and dignity.

The Court will include personal testimonies, jury statements, skill-sharing workshops, and community outreach. Over 3 days, the Court will raise our consciousness, change how we think and talk about poverty and injustice, develop alternative visions for the future, and craft strategies and proposals for action.

Our aim is to connect peoples from the various communities (nationally and internationally), to record and discuss the different injustices that people have been experiencing because of poverty, and to develop ways to struggle against social exclusion and exploitation that too often affects women. The WCW helps name women’s experiences as violence and as unacceptable in the world we want to help build. In telling our stories, we will contribute to building a vision and a movement that can help change the world.

How You Can Get Involved

·Spread the Word: Tell friends, neighbors, co-organizers and people you meet. Like us on Facebook. Write letters to the editor about the WCW.

·Tell your story: You are not alone. Tell us how you experience poverty or violence so we can compile this into the court record. We want to hold the system accountable for the suffering it causes to women and their families. Post your story on our wiki (uswcweast.wikispaces.com) or email us at uswcweast@gmail.com.

· Come to Philadelphia: Come to learn, bring your friends and fellow-organizer/agitators, be part of the program October 18-20, 2013

. Register here.

·Organize in your community: See our page for “Links and Resources” to hold your own local World Court of Women to document human rights violations in your locale. Bring the story of your community to the larger world.

Please email us at uswcweast@gmail.com if you or your organization are interested in supporting and/or attending WCW Philadelphia 2013. Also see our page “Support WCW” for more information about types of assistance needed

Join a Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference Working Group. It doesn’t matter where you live, we want you to be involved!

After an incredibly successful conference in 2013, with 3,200 people attending the 3-day conference and related events, we are already underway with the 2014 planning process.

Regardless of where you live in the country, we welcome you to get involved in the planning process by joining a working group – or even a few! Working groups are utilized to develop programming and outreach for specific identity and content areas. These groups communicate primarily via e-mail (Google groups), as well as through conference calls and in person, if possible.

The call for working Group Members and New Working Groups will be until the date of the retreat (to be announced)

-All Working groups need to appoint a liaison (if not already done), as well as all returning member needs to update forms for 2014 working group.

-October 4,2014 is the deadline for all submissions into working groups

-Oct 15, 2014 “House Motto” to be submitted. All committee members photo and bio as well  

To see more specific information about the working groups, see the 2013 National Working Groups page here, http://www.trans-health.org/content/join-working-group-form

Events listed here include Occupy Philly related events as well as other social justice events. For more updates be sure to check the Occupy Philadelphia Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/OccupyPhiladelphia. Your support is greatly appreciated!

Philly Phat: The Philadelphia Police Department

September 22nd, 2013

PHILADELPHIA, PA — Do these police officers look more like the defensive line of a professional football team than they do a bike patrol?

That is because the Philadelphia Police Department uses bicycles as weapons not fitness equipment. During the eviction of Occupy Philly, the bike patrols injured and maimed multiple protesters with their bikes. After forming a line with the bikes, officers move the bikes towards citizens. Eventually, people get caught up in the gears. Police officers then puncture limbs with the sprockets.

These pictures were taken on Federal grounds at the Liberty Bell during the Smoke Down #9 protest.

Doylestown, PA Police Department Corruption

September 18th, 2013

DOYLESTOWN, PA — Citizens are warned of the dangers to visiting Doylestown Borough in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Police officers and government officials have been involved in criminal activities.

Officer Keith Deitz of the Doylestown Police Department committed a multitude of crimes including:

  • illegal search and seizure
  • restraining an individual against their will / kidnapping
  • terroristic threats
  • torture
  • obstruction of justice
  • perjury
  • and numerous other offenses

A victim stated, “Officer Deitz came over to my car, opened the door and attacked me. He then handcuffed and tortured me.”

After reading the victim’s statement, Alicia Baatz (esquire) of the Public Defenders Office said to her colleague, “I bet if I read this to you, you would know what officer was involved.”

When it came to fighting police corruption in Doylestown Borough and Bucks County, attorney Lisa Williams said, “You are going to lose.” Not only won’t you get a fair trial, but the judge will sentence you to the maximum.

On September 17, 2013, Judge Clyde W. Waite found Officer Dietz had committed an illegal search and seizure; however, the judge failed to take corrective action.

Jennifer Lewchick, RN, is accused as a co-conspirator in the torture.

Also implicated in the cover-up are two Doylestown Police Sergeants. The police chief and the mayor have not yet responded to this article.

Individuals with any information about Officer Dietz, police brutality and corruption in Doylestown are asked to contact investigators.